SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION  2^nd specialty program, Spring 2007

In this course we will examine some of the major questions related to how people learn second languages. Since we are all second language learners, we will look at our own experiences, and try some language activities in class, in addition to learning from the textbook and lectures. The main objectives of this course are to: (1) learn the basic concepts and terminology in SLA ; (2) learn what the major questions are; (3) learn what some possible answers are; (4) learn what further questions are raised; (5) learn how to relate #1 to 4 above to our own experience; and (6) review basic conventions of scholarship. Topics covered include methodology in SLA, data analysis, generally accepted findings in SLA research, the nature and effects of the input learners get, explanations for why some people seem to learn languages better than others do, instructed SLA, and theories in SLA.

　

Textbook:

Larsen-Freeman, Diane, and Michael H. Long. An Introduction to Second Language Acquisition

Research. NY: Longman, 1991.

　

Requirements

7 quizzes (one on each chapter covered)    30%

Article review (see below)                          25%

Reflective paper                                         35%

Online and in-class discussion participation 10%

[Online discussion available one hour per week through MSN Messenger, to be arranged on Day 1 in class]

　

Article to be reviewed:

Cook, Vivian. “Going Beyond the Native Speaker in Language Teaching.” TESOL

Quarterly 33 (1999): 185-209.

　

Reading the professional article: First read the abstract. Then read the introduction and the conclusion, and skim the References (Works Cited). These preliminary steps will help you get the main point. Then go back and read the whole article from the beginning, including the abstract. When you have finished, reread the article if necessary. Take points you don’t understand to ask your friendly professor.

　

Reviewing the article: Read it according to the method above. In your review, first summarize the article briefly, and then relate it to the textbook, lectures, class discussion, and your own experience. Discuss how the article is important (or not) and what your peers could learn from it. Format: Put the bibliographic information on the article (in the form given above) at the top of the first page of your review, type Reviewed by Your Name two lines down, with your full name in boldface. At least three pages.

　

Reflective paper: Consider how what you learn about SLA in the course applies to yourself as both a language learner and a (prospective) language teacher. Pick out important concepts from each chapter and relate them to your own experience, and to the language situation in your society(s). You do not have to include everything that is covered in the course, but you do have to discuss SLA concepts from the two perspectives of learner and teacher. At least five pages.